Remembering the Dead
Posted by: Pastor Dave Lee | Tuesday July 14, 2009
File under: Perspectives & Pleas
Much has been made of Michael Jackson's death on June 25, 2009. His memorial service was so huge it required a venue like the Staples Center. Many people gave heartfelt statements remembering and celebrating Michael's life. Despite the controversy that marked his personal life, it was nonetheless touching to hear so many speak so fondly of someone who'd touched their lives. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that Michael's music was a huge part of my own teenage years. The Thriller album will always be close to my heart.
On the same day on the other side of the world, 1st Lieutenant Brian N. Bradshaw of the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, died of wounds suffered when a roadside bomb detonated near his vehicle in Kheyl, Afghanistan. He hailed from Steilacoom, WA and lost his life at the age of 24 in the service of his country.
I don't think it would be profitable or decent of me to try to compare these two lives because I don't know either of these men on a personal level. I imagine that both men did good to others while they were alive. And I imagine both men had flaws and shortcomings they never conquered in life. That’s pretty much the story for each of us isn't it?
Death is an occasion that makes those left behind reflect on the lives of those who have passed. Often words like "hero" are spoken to honor the dead. But I think in the final analysis it's how we live, not so much how we die, that is the measure of our lives. Someone once told me that as he wandered through a cemetery and looked at all the headstones, he reflected that our whole lives are basically the hyphen between the year of our birth and the year of our death. I hope my hyphen is worth something to God and others around me.
Michael Jackson has had his day of being remembered and then some. I just wanted to make sure that Mr. Bradshaw also got some public mention. And if you want to see a listing of all those who have lost their lives in military service go here. And remember that in addition to these two men, an estimated 150,643 other human beings passed from life to death on June 25 as well.
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